Leupold VX6 1-6 Multigun scope review

Leupold listens to the multi gun shooter and responds with a new scope. When we saw the new Leupold VX6 1-6×24 scope we were really excited about the power range. They were showing great hunting reticles but nothing with a way to shoot long distance with hold over points. We discussed the need for this for 3 gunners and apparently so did others at SHOT in January.

We kept in contact with Leupold over the next few months and it was looking like this may come to life. Fast forward and I get word that yes, it is going to be a reality! Several weeks ago I received a pre-production sample to test. I am happy to report it is a fantastic scope! Using the same illumination technology as in the very well received VX-R scopes introduced last year. Lead free glass with blackened edges to reduce stray light reflections provide a scope with both outstanding glass and a very well executed illumination system.

The reticle is the same as used in the Patrol 1.25-4 which is comprised of a circle around the center crosshairs and 10 mil in diameter at 6x at 100 yards.
There is a hash mark 1/2 way beteen the center crosshair intersection and the circle for a 2.5 mil reference.
There are additional 2.5 mil hash marks beneath the circle.

Here’s a pic of the reticle from the 1.25-4 Patrol taken at 75 yards to give you a good look at the reticle

Leupold VX6 Specs include:

Firedot SPR Reticle int the 2nd focal plane

30mm tube

Fast Focus Eyepiece

Xtended Twilight Lens System

DiamondCoat 2 (Scratch Resistance Lens)

Lead and Arsenic-Free Glass Lenses

Weight 13,4 Oz

Length 10.7″

Eye relief 3.8

Field of view at 100 yards 115ft at 1x

Capped mil based windage and elevation turrets with a resettable zero

A pic of the reticle at 250 yards at 4x (from the Patrol 1.25-4)

I have ran this scope with a 200 yard zero with 77g OTM match loads at 2750 and this makes the first mark down my 500 yard hold.

I slightly tweaked my zero to make it a 475 yard hold so I can shoot 450 or 500 yards easily.

The glass is VERY good as is the illumination which is day time bright in Texas sun. It also can be set to be very dim, perfect for low light hunting.

The glass is better than the Patrol series, both use the lead free glass which is extremely clear and better than the Trijicon Accupoint 1-4s I have.

We found the reticle quite fast shooting IPSC targets up close and transitioning, with or without illumination on.

Shooting plates at 100 yards on 1x with the dot lit was very easy shooting offhand and fast.

The Leupold VX6 has the Xtended Twilight Lens coatings which provide even better image resolution. I even tested this scope against my S&B 1.5-6×42 in very low light into darkness and I was very, very surprised at how well it did, even at 6x magnification. With the much smaller objective size and therefore smaller exit pupil diameter I would have thought it would have been a slam dunk test with the the S&B being significantly brighter when it was 45 minutes past sundown, that was not the case much to my surprise.

Shooting at 500 yards in fading light on a 10×12 steel plate that had very little white paint on it against a dirt berm background provided very little contrast. In fact, it was invisible to the naked eye. We had concluded an afternoon of shooting in the tac bays then decided to drive to a vantage point where we knew there was a 500 yard rise we could go prone on and shoot. When we got there, the shooting lane is a road that doesn’t get used and was overgrown with vegetation, we were not sure we would be able to see any of the plates we had setup. And in fact did require a scope to be able to see if the plate was available. It was, I went prone and lined up dead center on it with the first hashmark, exhaled slowly and squeezed the trigger. A split second later we heard the heartwarming sound of a 77g Sierra Matchking hit metal! We went through about a 1/2 box of Black Hills 77g OTM 5.56 loads and each time it was the same result. “donk” , man, I love that! I will say that the glass in this scope is very impressive. Next we pulled out the 308 with a USO 3-17 for a comparison shoot. The resolution is really outstanding in this Leupold.

Thanks for the great review Charles.
I just ordered mine today and they had one in stock.

Herb Groll

Charles,

I am looking for a scope for both my Colt LE6920 rifles. I’m a highway patrolman and I’m not into 3 gun competitions. I want a good all around scope for use on duty, out at the range, and for personal defense.

I am considering four scopes at the moment all Leupold. The Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5X20mm, VX-R Patrol 1.25-4X20mm, Mark 6 1-6X20mm, and now after this review the VX-6. I have read reviews of the VX-R Patrol and I am leaning towards that scope. However, one of our firearms instructors recommends the Mark 4. The Mark 6 is very nice and very expensive, but I don’t think I need that much scope.

I will also be needing a scope for the new Colt LE901 which I ordered recently. Since that rifle is a .308/7.62 and the effective range is 600 meters, what scope would you recommend for that rifle? It would be for use on duty, at the range, and for hunting.

Thanks in advance!

Herb Groll

I am looking for a scope for my Colt LE6920 carbines. One is a duty weapon the other is personal. I am a highway patrolman in Arizona and not a 3 gunner. I would use the scope mainly on duty, out at the range, and for personal defense. I am considering four scopes at this time. The Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5X20mm, The Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4X20mm, the Leupold VX-6 1-6X24mm, and the Leupold Mark 6 1-6X20mm.

One of our firearms instructors recommends the Mark 4. I am leaning towards the VX-R Patrol, but I just recently read this review on the VX-6. I also really like the Mark 6, but it is pricey and don’t think I need that much scope. I don’t know a lot about scopes and have only used iron sights on my carbines since my days in the Marine Corps.

What would you’re suggestion be? Thanks in advance.

joshs

Charles,

Have you had any problems hitting small targets between 300-450 yards with the SPR reticle? Do you think the scope would be better with a TMR FireDot?

Thanks,
Josh

Charles Coker

Hi Josh,
No, I haven’t had any problems hitting 12″ plates at that distance
A TMR Firedot would be a nice reticle for sure…
I like the TMR reticle…